MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Call for Temporary Suspension of Decommissioning Process
COTABATO CITY (September 16, 2025) — Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M!LF) and President of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) has called for the temporary suspension of the ongoing decommissioning process for M!LF combatants. He cites insufficient support from the national government, particularly regarding the commitments under the normalization phase of the peace agreement.
Speaking at a gathering held in honor of the late M!LF founding leader Sheikh Salamat Hashim, which was attended by families and commanders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) from Pagalungan, Chairman Ebrahim emphasized the lack of sustainable livelihood programs and social interventions for decommissioned combatants.
Chairman Ebrahim expressed concerns about the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), describing the agency’s failure to fully implement key provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) — particularly those related to the reintegration of former combatants into civilian life.
According to Ebrahim, the current assistance and programs offered by the government do not adequately address the basic needs of decommissioned fighters, including livelihood, education, and access to social services.
He warned that proceeding with the decommissioning process without sufficient support undermines the dignity of former combatants and risks eroding trust in the peace process. He reiterated that genuine peace must be rooted in fair and inclusive actions, aligned with Islamic principles that have guided the M!LF’s struggle over the years.
”Ang ganap na kapayapaan ay dapat itinatag sa makatarungan at inklusibong mga hakbang, na alinsunod sa mga prinsipyo ng Islam na patuloy na nagsilbing gabay ng M!LF mula sa simula ng kanilang adhikain, (True peace must be established through just and inclusive measures, in accordance with the principles of Islam that have continually served as a guide for the M!LF since the inception of our cause),” Ebrahim stated on the UBJP’s Facebook page on Monday.
This statement from Chairman Ebrahim could lead to a temporary halt in the normalization process, which is a critical component of the CAB. Normalization encompasses disarmament, reintegration, and socio-economic support to ensure a smooth transition of combatants into peaceful civilian life.
In light of the call for suspension, various stakeholders are urging for urgent dialogue between the M!LF and the national government to sustain public confidence and maintain momentum in the Bangsamoro peace process.
As of this writing, OPAPRU has yet to issue an official response to Chairman Ebrahim’s statement. Nevertheless, the Bangsamoro community remains hopeful that these concerns will be addressed through constructive and meaningful dialogue, in the spirit of peace and unity based on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. (Tu Alid Alfonso with reports from Hannan G. Ariman, BMN/BangsamoroToday)
